Photo of Erin Borla

Erin Borla

Executive Director & Trustee, Roundhouse Foundation | NCFP Fellow (2022-2024)

Erin Borla has worked in non-profit organizations that support rural communities through the arts and creative economies for the past 17 years. Her dedication to supporting rural spaces through listening, collaborating, and open and honest sharing of ideas helps her elevate community partners throughout her work. Borla holds a BS in Agriculture from Oregon State University and a Masters of Tourism Administration from The George Washington University. She has served organizations like Oregon State University – Cascades Campus, Sisters Parks & Recreation District, Central Oregon Regional Solutions Committee, Oregon 4H Foundation, and others. She has served as a Trustee for the Sisters, Oregon based Roundhouse Foundation since 2014 and most recently stepped in as the organizations first Executive Director at a time of rapid growth for the Foundation.

The Roundhouse Foundation supports innovative problem solving and creative solutions in four programmatic areas including arts and culture, environmental stewardship, education and social services throughout rural and tribal communities in Oregon.

When she isn’t exploring Oregon’s unspoiled beauty, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, pets and reading.

Contributions

Rural Funders Peer Network: Connecting & Sharing with Peers

Posted on August 23, 2023 by Erin Borla, Wynn Rosser

This network is a space for learning and discussion for philanthropic families working in rural areas, including those funding in rural Tribal places. Use this opportunity to connect with peers, as well as share knowledge, and ideas. More specific program information to come. If you are unable to attend this event, but are interested in being a part of the… Read More

The Principles of Effective Family Philanthropy: Relationships

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Liz Dozier, Cathy Cha, Erin Borla, Regan Pritzker, Mailee Walker, Dimple Abichandani, C’Ardiss “CC” Gardner Gleser, David Weitnauer

 Effective family philanthropy makes a collective commitment to meaningful societal change. It holds itself accountable to impact as defined by community, and to the proven practices that support it. It is adaptive, evolving with the family and the community or ecosystem within which it operates. It shares or cedes power with different family members and generations, as well as… Read More

The Principles of Effective Family Philanthropy: Equity

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Sergio Rodríguez, Liz Dozier, Cathy Cha, Erin Borla, Nicholas A. Tedesco, June L. Wilson, Kelly D. Nowlin

 Effective family philanthropy makes a collective commitment to meaningful societal change. It holds itself accountable to impact as defined by community, and to the proven practices that support it. It is adaptive, evolving with the family and the community or ecosystem within which it operates. It shares or cedes power with different family members and generations, as well as… Read More

Rural Funders Peer Network: Connecting with Peers to Share Successes and Opportunities

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Erin Borla, Wynn Rosser

Use this opportunity to share experiences of best practices for working in rural areas, discuss tactics and strategies, and connect with funding and partnering opportunities to leverage your investments and increase impact. This conversation will focus on successes and opportunities. Please come prepared to share! Some questions to consider: What initiatives are you attempting? What are you funding? What is happening… Read More

Rural Funders Peer Network: Workforce Development in Rural Communities

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Katie Hughes, Gretchen Schmidt, PhD, Dr. Ben Stafford, Erin Borla, Wynn Rosser

In rural communities, where populations are more dispersed and farther from major job centers, labor markets face different challenges than those in urban areas. Currently labor shortages in healthcare and education are particularly acute in rural areas. But investment in workforce development tailored to rural communities can significantly improve this situation. Join us for a conversation to learn about best… Read More

Rural Funders Peer Network: Rural Capacity Building–The Rural Partners Network

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Christine Sorensen, Lee A. Jones, Erin Borla, Wynn Rosser

The Rural Partners Network (RPN) is a government program where a number of federal agencies collaborate together with rural communities to find resources and funding to create jobs, build infrastructure, and support long-term economic stability. RPN has created community networks in several states to help federal agencies develop improved service delivery models, program processes, and funding priorities for the benefit… Read More

Rural Funders Peer Network Topical Call & Networking

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Erin Borla, Wynn Rosser

Join your peers to network and discuss topics of concern for philanthropic families who are place-based rural funders. As NCFP launches the Rural Funders Peer Network, we are pleased to offer this collaborative space for family funders working in rural areas to create connections and share strategies and stories with others across the country. This event will provide an opportunity… Read More

Rural Funders Salon

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Erin Borla, Wynn Rosser

Family foundations and other funders and donors focused on serving rural communities face special challenges—lack of infrastructure, lack of partners, and often lack of urgency from state and federal government entities. NCFP is pleased to offer this collaborative space for family foundations and other funders with a rural focus seeking to create connections and share strategies and stories with others… Read More

Rural Funders Salon

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Erin Borla, Wynn Rosser

Registration is now closed. Family foundations and other funders and donors focused on serving rural communities face special challenges—lack of infrastructure, lack of partners, and often lack of urgency from state and federal government entities. As detailed in NCFP’s 2018 report, Pride of Place, family foundations are traditionally among the most place-based of all funders, with deep and lasting connections… Read More